a feral dilemma...

Update:  DH and I are recuperating from our croupy coughs. We did go to the doctor's this week as DH really felt bad... and was running a little fever. She tested us for the flu... negative... just croupy cough. Gave DH some antibiotics and since she knows that I don't do well on them, gave me a steroid injection. Anyway, we are both on the mend (I hope).

Today I want to discuss people who don't care for feral cats... or birds, squirrels, etc.  I don't understand it. I really don't. We've been living in this area for over 30 years and have always fed, watered, and tried to accommodate the critters that show up around our house from the creek area. These include birds, squirrels, raccoons, possums, box turtles, etc. We do occasionally see a coyote or a bobcat... but not too often. After all, we are on a creek and a greenback area. We've never had a problem with any of them. We're glad to share our space and our yard is officially a wildlife sanctuary with a sign out front that says it fits the requirements from the National Wildlife Association.

However, there are people in the neighborhood who want all the ferals gone. They don't want anyone feeding them and when they see that some gravitate towards our property, it bothers them. Monday someone left a leaflet on our door saying that someone in the neighborhood had complained about the ferals. So??  Why tell us?? Some do hang around our place as it is a safe environment, but what do they expect us to do about it??  It doesn't bother us to have a few cats laying in the yard or on the porch.

I guess I don't understand because I was always taught that if you had a problem, you took care of it yourself. So, if a neighbor has a problem with ferals on his property, he should call Animal Control or trap them himself - whatever he needs to do. Why are ferals visiting our property a problem for him/her?  We can certainly stop putting food out for the birds, turtles, ferals, etc. but it seems a shame... as it's always been our belief that if someone or something needs food, water, or shelter, you give it.  Animal Control is welcome to come by and pick up any ferals they want... if they can catch them. We can't.

Just venting here. Over the years we have taken feral kittens into our home (the 4 cats here on the top as example) and we have brought numerous others to our Vet for vaccinations and then to the local Animal Shelter to be adopted out. Both our Vet as well as the Animal Shelter records would show this. And we've also taken the mama cat that we were able to catch to be spayed, vaccinated, and released.   There's no doubt in our mind that our area has too many ferals, but I'm not sure that simply not feeding them is the answer. Besides, the feral cats reduce the rat and snake population down by the creek... and I do think this is a good thing.

I really would like a good answer to this dilemma, so please send me your ideas. But know that if you choose to comment by venting your hatred of ferals in general or saying something violent or mean, your comment will simply be deleted and not published.

Do you see the kitten inside the pumpkin?

feral kittens playing on the front porch

Thanks...